2014 NFL Week 12 - Packers vs. Vikings Betting Odds Preview

Two division rivals who are having 2 completely different types of seasons face off in Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. The Packers played the Eagles last week in a game many thought would be a high scoring shootout. The Packers held up their end of the bargain while putting up 53 points in the teams 53-20 demolition of the Eagles. Packer quarterback Aaron Rogers went 22/36 for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns against no interceptions. Running back Eddie Lacy carried the ball 10 times for 69 yards and a touchdown. Randall Cobb continued his great season in his free agent year with 10 catches for 129 yards while felloe receiver Jordy Nelson had 4 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. The Packers are not a team known for their defense but they certainly dominated in this game, highlighted by a Julius Peppers interception that was returned 52 yards for a touchdown. If they can continue to hold teams defensively then they may be the best team in the NFL. After scoring 19 points in a week 3 loss to the Lions they have scored 38, 42, 27, 38, 44, 55, and 53 points in each game respectively since. The Vikings are making much more noise off the field as the NFL declared that running back Adrian Peterson would be suspended for the remainder of the season for his role in a child abuse case. On the field they have been unable to replace the overall greatness of Peterson and they fell to a 4-6 record with their loss to the Bears last Sunday. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been less than impressive since taking over as the starter. He went 18/28 for 158 yards with a touchdown and an interception on Sunday. If not for a fake punt that set up a touchdown the offense may not have scored a touchdown all day.

The Packers will look to continue to put points on the board this weekend. Rogers has thrown 9 touchdowns without throwing an interception in his last 2 games. All of this with many of the 4th quarter minutes going to backup quarterback Matt Flynn since the games have been out of hand. This is a divisional game, which always brings out the best in teams and the Packers have been an average team on the road with a 2-3 record. The Vikings defense has been much improved lately and will be looking to defend its home field.

The Vikings may have a veteran breath of fresh air in newly acquired running back Ben Tate. With starter Matt Asiata and backup Jerick McKinnon both injured they may ask Tate to play some snaps this week despite only being on the team a few days. They will need something to boost an offense that has been horrific over the last 6 games with averages of 15 points and 285 yards per game during that time. They will need to get a running game going to help out their rookie quarterback.